In "Goldeneye", James Bond, played for the first time by Pierce Brosnan, must prevent an ex-MI6 agent, Alec Trevelyan, from detonating a powerful electromatic pulse, via satellite, over London. The pulse would render all electronics in London totally useless, and Trevelyan would seize that opportunity to electronically rob the Bank Of London. Along the way, Bond is assisted by computer programmer Natalya Simonova, who has extensive knowledge of the goldeneye satellite. Bond's other enemies throughout the movie include Trevelyan's sidekick, Russian General Ouromov (who has betrayed his government); Boris, a computer programmer who was once a comrade of Natalya, but betrayed her; and Zenia Onatopp, a dark, sexually charged woman who takes pleasure in making love, and killing. She especially enjoys killing WHILE making love ;)

The feel of "Goldeneye" is rather dark and serious, although there are comical moments strewn throughout the movie (so it's not quite as stiff as either of Dalton's Bond movies). There are a wide array of characters featured in the movie, all of whom are thoroughly enjoyable, and well written. The actors playing them are especially entertaining to watch. Kudos to Izabella Scorupco, who is not only gorgeous, but plays the part of Natalya very memorably. Famke Janssen is also magnificent as Onatopp, and there has not been any Bond villian quite as quirky or devilish as Onatopp since (what Bond villainess has ever licked Bond's face, and then beaten him up? Just Onatopp!). Pierce Brosnan, of course, fits right in as James Bond, and manages to combine elements of a dark edge with a touch of a light side.

"Goldeneye" works very well as a Bond movie. The plot is intruiging, and moves along at a perfect pace, keeping the viewer interested.Read more ›

The first DVD issue released in 1997 (MGMs very first release on that format) is a 6.48 Gig flipper disc, with a full-screen version on side A, and a non-anamorphic widescreen one on side B (2.35:1 Scope). Measly extras are Spanish and French DD 2.0, audio commentary, production notes, and theatrical trailer (warning!! IN EXTREMELY PI$$ POOR VHS QUALITY). Audio quality is OK, but boy the picture quality! The WS version uses the analog master made for the laserdisc and has REALLY BAD picture quality!! From flickering, combing, shimmering (and lots of it baby!!), to blocking and etc., you name it! The FS version on the other hand, looks like a center crop/pan & scan of the film negative, and sadly is of better visual quality than the widescreen version. But like the latter, it suffers from mosquito noise and blocking. This release has cover art similar to the movie poster (and the 1999 issue, minus "Speical Edtion" with a gold band), and if you have to have every single video edition of every bond film made, this is for you. But there are later releases superior to this one so skip the 1997 issue if possible.

- UPDATE ON THIS RELEASE -

There's what appears to be later printings of this disc that is said to have the WS side 16:9 enhanced (covers and such the same, but with "16:9 widescreen" in the back specs instead of plain ol' "widescreen") . It is unknown if it uses the LD master blown to 16:9 or uses the film master used on the 1999 SE release.

Next is the 1999/2000 Special Edition, released when they were putting other bond titles on DVD for the first time in this SE series. Unlike the previous release, this one uses a digital remaster created from the film negative, is anamorphic 2.Read more ›

This movie rocks, starting with the jump off the bridge. Then there is the motorcycle-to-plane, while keeping the same bond wit, that hasn't been seen since connory. I really like how it ends and how the girl isn't a bimbo(seeing bond as a man who can't do everything and has emotions really turned this movie in to a keeper). I also believe the plot setting is up there with "goldfinger". I think that the chase near the beginning could have been better but what are you going to do. The evil girl getting pleasure from killing was a nice touch and having a pretty realistic plot, made the story line flow that much more easily. The female and incredible gadgets add for a few surpries that you don't see in other bond flicks. Go rent/buy this movie as soon as you can!

I loved Goldeneye because of:
a) Tank chase through St. Petersburg
b) The bungee jump off the dam
c) The humour
d) Isabella Scorupco's performance
and e) Famke Janssen's absolutely perfect, deadly femme fatale Xenia Onnatopp. She's the best, absolutely, the best Bond villain/girl EVER! Ilove Famke Janssen, but I've only seen her in this and X-Men. I can't find others anywhere.
But I'm sure you ain't reading this to hear about me going on about Famke Janssen.
The plot- Bond (superb Pierce Brosnan) is investigating a French anti-electric tampering helicopter, the 'Tiger', when it's stolen by Xenia Onnatopp, a fellow car enthusiast who is linked to a Russian terrorist group Janus.
At MI6, it is discovered a Russian satellite base was struck by an EMP weapon from space known as 'Goldeneye'.
Bond then begins his search for 'Janus', the head of the terrorist group, and soon meets up with one of 2 survivors from te EMP strike, Natalya, Isabella Scorupco, and soon discovers a global threat to technology, banking resources, and people's lives.
Excellent new Bond here. Brosnan's first Bond's is one of his best.
Cheesy explosion sounds annyoed me, and the missing action sequence with Bond's car, the BMW Z3 Roadster is completely missing.
But good casting and sets etc. prove that Bond could go on forever, or at least until the films become unprofitable. (Hee hee)